How this Cyclist Overcame a Collarbone Injury: Meet Our Patient of the Month!

Each month, Iron Physical Therapy highlights a special patient to tell their inspiring story. We want to honor the people who go all in - body, mind and spirit. They show us what’s possible - that you can move on from a setback to do amazing things...to challenge your body, to chase your dreams, to address pain in a healthy way to #getbetterbebetter.

Check out Brendan’s story below and then click here to read more inspiring patient stories.

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Brendan is an avid cyclist and the owner of Cycle Craft in Parsippany. When he reached out to say he broke his collarbone and would need surgery to his dominant side, I knew it would be quite a setback in all aspects of his life.

Nine screws and one metal plate later, we were ready to begin treatment on his shoulder! Physical therapy after shoulder surgery begins very conservatively while we work on pain reduction and operating within the limitations of the post-surgical protocol.

Brendan was focused, consistent and gave his best effort right from the very start. In addition, his positive attitude and hilarious sense of humor created a fun environment for everyone around him! As the weeks progressed, his mindset regarding having always had "weak" shoulders began to change. He started to see and believe it was possible to make lasting gains in the range of motion and strength in his shoulder. In the final phase of rehab, he was able to do push ups and even banded pull-ups!

I'm extremely proud of Brendan's comeback, and I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of his journey!

-Dr. Geno Mayes PT, DPT

In Brendan’s Own Words…

What are 3 words that describe you?

I got these from my wife…Optimistic, Positive attitude, Mule-like worker!

What do you love most about cycling?

I ride bicycles because it feels like flying.

what brought you into physical therapy?

My first round of PT was for a blown out L3/L4 disc in 2018. This current round was for rehabbing a surgically repaired clavicle.

Have you learned anything new from physical therapy this time around?

I’m not sure if I learned anything new but I feel like I am reminded that, although it always feels dire at the start, if you do the work, you wind up stronger in the end.

What can you share about the mental and physical setbacks of having to slow down your training to recover?

Mentally it was tough because you instantly go from being capable to being practically helpless. Although I have great support, I hate being a burden to others.

Also, I’m a pretty energetic person and being constrained can be pretty depressing. Physically, I still have issues with my back injury to this day that, if I can’t do regular exercise for it, becomes a complicating problem working on my shoulder exercises. 

What advice do you have for other athletes who get injured?

My best advice for athletes that get injured, or anyone really - Get a therapist that will not just make you feel better but will actually give you the tools to make you stronger than before the injury. Iron PT is that kind of place and I recommend it to all of my clients that come to my bike fitting studio. My other advice is to try and keep a positive attitude and do the work. It will pay off.

What was your biggest motivation to #getbetterbebetter?

My biggest motivator to #getbetterbebetter is knowing that I have to do it to continue doing the things I love to do.